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his moderation and temperance； he would acknowledge that indeed he
might be accounted such； in comparison with some other men； 〃but；〃
said he； 〃when I compare myself with Cato； I find myself scarcely
different from Sippius；〃 one at that time notorious for his
luxurious and effeminate living。
Cato being made priest of Apollo； went to another house； took his
portion of their paternal inheritance； amounting to a hundred and
twenty talents； and began to live yet more strictly than before。
Having gained the intimate acquaintance of Antipater the Tyrian； the
Stoic philosopher； he devoted himself to the study； above
everything； of moral and political doctrine。 And though possessed；
as it were； by a kind of inspiration for the pursuit of every
virtue； yet what most of all virtue and excellence fixed his affection
was that steady and inflexible justice which is not to be wrought upon
by favour or compassion。 He learned also the art of speaking and
debating in public； thinking that political philosophy； like a great
city； should maintain for its security the military and warlike
element。 But he would never recite his exercises before company； nor
was he ever heard to declaim。 And to one that told him men blamed
his silence； 〃But I hope not my life。〃 he replied； 〃I will begin to
speak； when I have that to say which had not better be unsaid。〃
The great Porcian Hall； as it was called； had been built and
dedicated to the public use by the old Cato； when aedile。 Here the
tribunes of the people used to transact their business； and because
one of the pillars was thought to interfere with the convenience of
their seats； they deliberated whether it were best to remove it to
another place； or to take it away。 This occasion first drew Cato； much
against his will； into the forum； for he opposed the demand of the
tribunes； and in so doing gave a specimen both of his courage and
his powers of speaking； which gained him great admiration。 His
speech had nothing youthful or refined in it； but was straightforward；
full of matter； and rough； at the same time that there was a certain
grace about his rough statements which won the attention； and the
speaker's character； showing itself in all he said； added to his
severe language something that excited feelings of natural pleasure
and interest。 His voice was full and sounding； and sufficient to be
heard by so great a multitude； and its vigour and capacity of
endurance quite indefatigable； for he often would speak a whole day
and never stop。
When he had carried this cause； he betook himself again to study and
retirement。 He employed himself in inuring his body to labour and
violent exercise； and habituated himself to go bareheaded in the
hottest and the coldest weather； and to walk on foot at all seasons。
When he went on a journey with any of his friends； though they were on
horseback and he on foot； yet he would often join now one； then
another； and converse with them on the way。 In sickness the patience
he showed in supporting； and the abstinence he used for curing； his
distempers were admirable。 When he had an ague； he would remain alone；
and suffer nobody to see him； till he began to recover； and found
the fit was over。 At supper； when he threw dice for the choice of
dishes； and lost； and the company offered him nevertheless his choice；
he declined to dispute； as he said； the decision of Venus。 At first；
he was wont to drink only once after supper； and then go away； but
in process of time he grew to drink more； insomuch that oftentimes
he would continue till morning。 This his friends explained by saying
that state affairs and public business took him up all day； and
being desirous of knowledge； he liked to pass the night at wine in the
conversation of philosophers。 Hence； upon one Memmius saying in
public； that Cato spent whole nights in drinking； 〃You should add；〃
replied Cicero； 〃that he spends whole days in gambling。〃 And in
general Cato esteemed the customs and manners of men at that time so
corrupt； and a reformation in them so necessary； that he thought it
requisite； in many things； to go contrary to the ordinary way of the
world。 Seeing the lightest and gayest purple was then most in fashion；
he would always wear that which was the nearest black； and he would
often go out of doors； after his morning meal； without either shoes or
tunic； not that he sought vain…glory from such novelties； but he would
accustom himself to be ashamed only of what deserves shame； and to
despise all other sorts of disgrace。
The estate of one Cato； his cousin； which was worth one hundred
talents； falling to him； he turned it all into ready money； which he
kept by him for any of friends that should happen to want； to whom
he would lend it without interest。 And for some of them； he suffered
his own land and his slaves to be mortgaged to the public treasury。
When he thought himself of an age fit to marry； having never
before known any woman； he was contracted to Lepida； who had before
been contracted to Metellus Scipio； but on Scipio's own withdrawal
from it； the contract had been dissolved； and she left at liberty。 Yet
Scipio afterwards repenting himself； did all he could to regain her；
before the marriage with Cato was completed； and succeeded in so
doing。 At which Cato was violently incensed； and resolved at first
to go to law about it； but his friends persuaded him to the
contrary。 However； he was so moved by the beat of youth and passion
that he wrote a quantity of iambic verses against Scipio； in the
bitter； sarcastic style of Archilochus； without； however； his
licence and scurrility。 After this； he married Atilia； the daughter of
Soranus； the first but not the only woman he ever knew； less happy
thus far than Laelius； the friend of Scipio； who in the whole course
of so long a life never knew but the one woman； to whom he was
united in his first and only marriage。
In the war of the slaves； which took its name from Spartacus；
their ringleader； Gellius was general； and Cato went a volunteer；
for the sake of his brother Caepio； who was a tribune in the army。
Cato could find here no opportunity to show his zeal or exercise his
valour； on account of the ill conduct of the general。 However；
amidst the corruption and disorders of that army； he showed such a
love of discipline； so much bravery upon occasion； and so much courage
and wisdom in everything； that it appeared he was in no way inferior
to the old Cato。 Gellius offered him great rewards； and would have
decreed him the first honours； which； however； he refused； saying he
had done nothing that deserved them。 This made him be thought a man of
strange and eccentric temper。
There was a law passed； moreover； that the candidates who stood
for any office should not have prompters in their canvass； to tell
them the names of the citizens； and Cato； when he sued to be elected
tribune； was the only man that obeyed this law。 He took great pains to
learn by h